Filipa César, Flora Gomes, Sana Na N’Hada | 1h 36m

Working with Guinean filmmakers Sana na N’Hada and Flora Gomes, César traces fragile film reels recorded during the country’s struggle for independence, inspired by the decolonising vision of Amílcar Cabral. On the verge of ruin, this footage was digitised in Berlin and shared through screenings across Guinea-Bissau and internationally — creating a transnational, mobile cinema. Spell Reel invites audiences to engage with these images as living records of resistance, sparking storytelling, dialogue, and reflection on past and present struggles. From isolated villages to major cultural centres, the project explores how cinema can become a tool for education, memory, and hope. Premiered at the Berlinale in 2017, Spell Reel celebrates the power of art to advance political and intellectual ideals for all.

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